Postcard for carrying compact disk

ABSTRACT

A postcard for carrying a disk medium, such as a compact disk or digital video disk, through the mails. In one embodiment, the postcard includes a card substrate, formed from card stock, which contains, on its front side, an area for an image or message, and a means for attaching a disk medium. The means for attaching a disk medium is preferably a clear plastic pocket. The back side of the card substrate includes an area for information written by the sender, such as a message and postal information of the recipient. In another embodiment, the postcard also includes a filler card, placed next to the back side of card substrate, and a transparent plastic film encloses the card substrate, means for attaching a disk medium, and filler card. In this embodiment, the area for postal information and a message is a label applied adhesively to the back side of the postcard over the plastic film.

PRIORITY

[0001] This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.09/917,579, filed Jul. 27, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims thebenefit of provisional Application No. 60/221,130, filed Jul. 27, 2000.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The field is post cards of the type that are sent through themails and used as souvenirs and, more specifically, the field includespost cards that are adapted to transport other materials.

[0004] 2. State of the Art

[0005] Greeting cards are configured to convey messages from a sender toa recipient in various ways. A variety of folded greeting cards havebeen developed, which display images and/or pre-printed writtenmessages, and ordinarily provide space where the sender can write apersonal message. Such greeting cards may be designed to hold aphotograph, a compact disk, or other flat item by insertion into a slotor flap in one page of the card. To ensure safe transport through themail, folded greeting cards must be inserted within an envelope or otherwrapper before mailing. The contents, including a photograph, compactdisk, or other item, are typically not visible once the envelope orwrapper is sealed, unless the envelope or wrapper has a window orsimilar arrangement. Envelopes with window arrangements can becomplicated to manufacture and often involve additional expense; theyalso often do not provide a clear, complete view of the item to bedisplayed.

[0006] Postcards ordinarily constitute a single, stiff page or card,that is flat and not folded, and that includes a front side having animage, such as a scene of a famous landscape, and a back side havingspace where the sender can provide postal information, including therecipient's name and postal address and a postage stamp or mark withprocessing information, and also an area where the sender can write apersonal message. The space for writing personal messages or forproviding text, such as a written description of the scene on the frontside of the postcard, is ordinarily very limited. Additionally, becausea conventional postcard is not enclosed in an envelope or other wrapper,and is not folded to protect is contents, it is difficult to attachadditional material or items which contain a further message or image,and which will not become detached, or cause the postcard to adhere toother mail or become jammed in postal service sorting and readingmachinery.

SUMMARY

[0007] A postcard that includes a means for attaching a compact disk orother similar disk medium, including a digital video disk,multi-laminate disk, or Smartcard, to the postcard, is described. Thepostcard also contemplates attaching a microchip to a postcard. In oneembodiment, the postcard includes a card substrate that is a firstsingle sheet, preferably formed from cardstock, having a front side anda back side. The front side includes a first area with a message or ascenic, graphic or artistic image, and a second area with a means forattaching disk media, such as a compact disk, digital video disk orother similar disk medium. In the present embodiment, the back side isblank, although in other embodiments, the back side may include variousinformation, messages, and images, as desired by the manufacturer.

[0008] The means for attaching a disk medium is preferably a pocketaffixed to the front side of the first sheet, having an opening, such asa slit or perforation, through which a compact disk or digital videodisk, or other disk medium, can be inserted into or removed from, thepocket. The pocket can be any of several pocket arrangements for holdinga disk or other similar medium, the pocket preferably made of a plastic,although other materials such as paper or foil may be used. The pocketis preferably transparent, to permit a purchaser to see the compact diskor other disk medium and relate that to the image also found on thefront side of the card. The pocket preferably is sized so that its widthand length are slightly larger than the diameter of the disk medium, tosnugly hold the disk but also to allow room for easy insertion and/orremoval.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pocket has a back sheet and a front sheet,both formed from clear plastic, bound together to form a cavity in whichthe disk is held. The pocket is affixed to the front side of thepostcard with an adhesive. A slit or perforation in the pocket is usedto insert the disk medium and/or remove it from the pocket. In thisembodiment, the postcard also includes a filler card, preferably formedof stiff chipboard or cardboard, placed behind the first sheet, toprovide support to the first sheet and its attached disk medium. Thefiller card is preferably not attached or affixed to the first sheet,although in certain embodiments it may be attached to the first sheetwith glue or another adhesive. The postcard also includes a thin layerof transparent plastic, preferably a shrink wrap application, coveringthe postcard, including the first sheet and the filler card, and thepocket, forming a protective layer over the pocket and its contents, andholding the first card and the filler card together. This layer reducesthe risk that the pocket, and other parts of the postcard, may becomesnagged or caught in postal machinery or other mail. Also in thisembodiment, a label is affixed to the back side of the postcard, on topof the plastic layer, the label providing a surface for writing addressinformation and personal messages. The label is preferably a paper labelwith an adhesive backing. In a preferred embodiment, an insert sheet isincluded in the postcard, positioned between the filler card and theplastic layer, the insert sheet including instructions for use of thedisk medium.

[0010] In another embodiment, the postcard includes a single sheet ofcard stock, having a front side and a back side. In this embodiment, thepostcard does not include a filler card. This embodiment is otherwisethe same as the embodiment described above. In a further embodiment, thepostcard includes a single card substrate and disk medium, with areasdefined on the card substrate for display of information, the cardsubstrate and disk medium closely held together by a single layer ofplastic material, such as may be applied in a blister pack construction.The present description includes a method for making a postcard carryinga disk medium such as a compact disk.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the content of the disk medium and themessage or image on the front side of the card are coordinated.Preferably also, the postcard includes a compact disk which contains avideo, audio, slide show or multimedia presentation. The compact diskmay contain a greeting, including a greeting from the sender, adescription of a scenic location or event, or other presentation, whichis coordinated with an image displayed on the postcard.

[0012] As noted above, the pocket is preferably transparent, whichenhances the marketing value of the postcard, enabling a potential buyerto see the image of the first area and to understand that the diskmedium of the second area will provide multiple images, a soundnarrative, and perhaps music further describing the image shown. Forexample, a resort may use the postcard of the present invention as amarketing tool to display an image of a lodge owned by the resort, andalso to provide much more information for potential visitors via acompact disk video presentation of the amenities offered by the lodge aswell as recreational activities available in the surrounding area. Thepost card may also be sold as a souvenir for tourists or visitors,having an image of a scenic landscape on one area of the front side ofthe card, and a compact disk on a second area of the front side of thecard, the compact disk providing a further description of the history,natural features, and geologic importance of the landscape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings include:

[0014]FIG. 1, depicting the front side of a postcard of one embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 2, depicting the back side of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0016]FIG. 3A, depicting a further embodiment of the postcard, includinga postcard with a front side having a first area for displaying an imageand a second area in which a compact disk is attached to the postcard.

[0017]FIG. 3B, depicting a cross-sectional view of the postcard of FIG.3A.

[0018]FIG. 3C, depicting the back side of the postcard of FIG. 3A.

[0019]FIG. 3D, depicting the front side of another embodiment of thepostcard of the present description.

[0020]FIG. 3E, depicting a cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofthe postcard of the present description.

[0021]FIG. 3F, depicting a further cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the postcard.

[0022]FIG. 3G, depicting a view of the back side of another embodimentof the postcard.

[0023]FIG. 4, depicting a flow diagram of a method for forming apostcard as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] A postcard, formed to carry a compact disk or other disk mediumthrough the mail. The postcard may be of any size allowed by postalregulations, and will typically include one or more pieces of cardsubstrate, such as single, stiff sheets or cards, usually of rectangularshape, as described in greater detail below. The card substrate may bemade of paper, plastic, or other material that can withstand postalprocessing. In one embodiment, as displayed in FIG. 1, the postcard 10is a single sheet, that has a front side 12, including a first area 14and a second area 16. The first area 14 displays an image and/or agreeting, and the second area 16 includes a means 18 for attaching adisk medium 20, to the postcard 10. The disk medium may be a compactdisk, digital video disk, multi-laminate disk, or other disk medium.Also, the invention can attach other media and items such as aSmartcard, or a microchip. As depicted in FIG. 2, the back side 22 ofthe postcard 10 has a first area 24 for postcard text, such as adescription of the image found on the front side, and the sender'swritten message, and a second area 26 for postal information, includingthe recipient's name and address and a stamp or postal bar code andother communications to the postal authorities. More or less space maybe devoted to postcard text and the sender's written message dependingon the design preferences of the card manufacturer. In some embodiments,there may be no space provided for postcard text or a personal message.In a preferred embodiment, the area for postcard text and/or personalmessage and the area for postal information are found on a label that isattached to the backside of the postcard, although in other embodimentsthis may be found on the backside of the postcard.

[0025] In other embodiments of the invention, the front side of thepostcard may include only an image or greeting, and the means forattaching a disk medium may be located on the back side of the postcard.

[0026] As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the postcard is a single sheetof material, having a front side and a back side. The sheet isrectangular in shape, although other shapes may be used, including asquare shape. The postcard includes means for closely holding a diskmedium, such as a compact disk, digital video disk, multi-laminate diskor other disk medium, to the sheet of material.

[0027]FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment of the postcard. In thisembodiment, the postcard 100 includes a first sheet 112, preferablyformed of cardstock, having a front side 114, to be viewed by theconsumer. The front side 114 of the postcard 100 includes a first area116 for an image or message, and a second area 118, which includes apocket 120 attached to said postcard 100, having a slit 122 forinserting the disk medium 124 into the pocket 120, or removing it fromthe pocket 120. In the embodiment depicted, the disk medium 124 is acompact disk. The pocket 120 is preferably made of a thin, flexiblematerial sized to snugly hold the compact disk. The pocket 120 isaffixed to the front side 114 of the postcard 100. The pocket 120 ispreferably formed from a sheet 126 of thin flexible material, such asplastic, folded and sealed to form a cavity in which the disk medium 124is held. The pocket 120 may be formed from other flexible materials,such as paper or foil. Preferably, the pocket is transparent, and clearplastic is accordingly a preferred material for the pocket 120. Thelength of the slit 122 is slightly greater than the diameter of the diskmedium 124 and its width is slightly greater than the diameter of thedisk medium 124. As shown in FIG. 3A, the slit 122 is on the outer faceof the pocket 120, although it may be located at the top of the pocket120 or in other locations, such as the back of the pocket 120, beneaththe disk medium 124, with a perforation or other opening in the innerface of the pocket and in the sheet 112, as may facilitate ease ofremoval of the disk medium 124 from the pocket 120, or insertion of thedisk 124 into the pocket 120.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the postcard also includes a fillercard 128, placed behind the first sheet 112, to provide support to thefirst sheet 112. The filler card 128 is formed from a stiff materialsuch as chipboard or cardboard, although other paper products or plasticmaterial may be used. Preferably, the filler card 128 has a weight inexcess of 20 point; 40 point chipboard or cardboard is preferred, toenhance support provided to the first sheet 112 and compliance withpostal regulations. The filler card 128 is preferably the same size asthe first sheet 112, although the size of the filler card 128 may varyfrom that of the first sheet 112. In this embodiment, a thin sheet orfilm of plastic 130 is placed over to cover and enclose the first sheet112 and the filler card 128. This plastic sheet 130 holds the firstsheet and filler card together and provides a second layer, in additionto the pocket 120, that further protects the disk medium 124 while thepostcard 100 is in transit. The plastic sheet 130 is preferablytransparent, and is preferably attached snugly to the postcard 100 by ashrink wrap process. The plastic sheet encloses the entire card,although it may cover only a portion of the card in other embodiments.Other methods of attaching an outer layer of plastic may be used,including hot sealing the outer edges or folded edges of the plastic.

[0029] The pocket 120 may be constructed in any of various ways known bythose familiar with packaging compact disks and other disk media. In anyof these methods, a slit or perforation, or an opening with a flap overit, may be cut in the material of the pocket to permit a disk to beinserted or removed. Alternatively, the pocket may be formed around adisk, and a slit created only for removal of the disk. The compact diskis be of any size compatible with a postcard that meets postalregulations. The preferred size for a disk of the present invention is a3¼ inch miniround, although other sizes may be used. As noted above,other forms of disk media may be used, including digital video disks,and multi-laminate disks. In addition, it is contemplated that aSmartcard or similar information-bearing card may be attached to thepostcard of the present invention. A message, image or design may bedisplayed on the disk medium, for example, to relate the disk mediumwith the image or message on the front side of the postcard. As afurther embodiment, a microchip or microchip-bearing substrate may beattached to the postcard of the present invention or, in anotherembodiment, may be embedded in the first sheet or filler card, in one ormore areas, alone or in combination with a disk medium attached asenvisioned by the invention.

[0030]FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional view of the postcard of FIG. 3Awith the front side 114 of the postcard 100, containing the pocket 120and disk medium 124 facing up. The pocket 120 is attached to the firstsheet 112 of the postcard 100. The pocket 120 surrounds the disk medium124. The filler card 128 is positioned beneath the first sheet 112. Aninsert sheet 132, containing instructions for the disk medium 124 and/orother information, is then placed beneath the filler card 128, althoughalternatively the insert sheet 132 may be placed between the first sheetand the filler card. The use of an insert sheet is optional, and analternative embodiment does not include the insert sheet 132. A thinplastic sheet 130, attached through a shrink wrap process, covers thepocket 120, the first sheet 112 and the filler card 128, and any insertsheet 132. The plastic sheet 130 acts to protect the pocket 120 and itscontents, and creates a smooth surface that reduces the risk that thepocket 120 or any other part of the postcard 100 will snag or becomecaught in postal machinery or other mail. In a preferred embodiment, alabel 134 is affixed to the outside-facing surface of the thin sheet ofplastic 130 on the back side of the postcard (the side opposite the sidecarrying the disk medium 124). The label 134 provides a surface on whichpostcard text, and/or a personal message, and postal information isprovided. The label 134 is preferably comprised of paper that iscompatible with ink and postage stamps, and has an adhesive backing thatpermits easy attachment to the plastic sheet 130.

[0031]FIG. 3C depicts the back side of the postcard 100 of FIG. 3A. Inthis view, the label 134 is affixed to the plastic sheet 130, whichcovers and encloses the first sheet (not shown), the filler card 128,any insert sheet (not shown), and the pocket and disk medium (notshown). The label 134, contains the postcard text 136 and postalinformation 138, and any desired space for a personal message 140.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the disk medium is a compact disk andthe content of the compact disk is coordinated with the image or messagedisplayed on the postcard. The compact disk may include a video or audiorecording. Alternatively, the compact disk may include a prepared videoor audio presentation, slide show, or multimedia presentation, thatincludes a narrative and/or music.

[0033] In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 3D, the postcard 100includes a card substrate 112, formed of cardstock, or other suitablematerial, including plastic or paper, having a front side 114. The frontside 114 of the postcard includes an area 116 for an image or message,and a second area 118, which includes a pocket 120 attached to saidpostcard 100. The pocket 120 holds a disk medium 124 against the frontside 114 of the post card 100. The pocket 120 is formed from a layer 126of material, such as plastic, foil or paper, attached to the front side114 at the outer edges 128 of the layer 126, forming an enclosure inwhich the disk medium 124 is held.

[0034] In one embodiment, depicted in the cross-sectional view of thepostcard 100, shown in FIG. 3E, the pocket 120 is formed with a blisterpack construction. The pocket 120 includes an outer wall 125 and shallowside walls 127, all formed from the layer 126, and a back wall 129 whichis a portion of the front side 114 of the postcard 110. In thisembodiment, the outer edges 128 of the layer 126 of the pocket 124 aresealingly attached to the front side 114 of the post card 100. The diskmedium 124 is closely held by and enclosed within the pocket 120 formedfrom the layer 126 and the back wall 129. In a further embodiment,depicted in FIG. 3F, the layer 126 used to form the pocket 120 extendsover and is sealingly attached to substantially the entire area of thefront side 114 of the postcard 100, except for the portion of the frontside 114 wherein the pocket 120 is formed for inclusion of the diskmedium 124 in the postcard 100. In another aspect of this embodiment,the layer 126 forms the pocket 120 and covers a portion, but less thanthe entire area, of the remainder of the front side 114 of the postcard100.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3D, the disk medium 124 is encased in thepocket 120 formed through a blister pack construction. The disk medium124 is loosely held in the pocket and can be in contact with the frontside 114, but is not attached to the front side 114. In anotherembodiment, the disk medium 124 may also be enclosed in an additionalenvelope or pocket, which then fits into and is enclosed by the pocket120. Access to the disk medium 124 within the pocket 120 may be achievedby tearing away the pocket 120 from the front side 114 of the post card100, along a portion of the outer edges 128, where the pocket 120 isattached to the front side 114. In another embodiment, depicted in FIG.3G, the back side 130 of the card may include a perforation 135 in theportion of the back side 130 opposite the pocket 120 (the pocket 120being attached to the front side 114 of the postcard 100 as depicted inFIG. 1), which may be opened to permit removal of the disk medium 124.Further, the area 141 of the back side 130 opposite the pocket 120 onthe front side 114 may be formed of paper or foil, adhesively attachedto the back side 130, which may be peeled or torn away to permit removalof the disk medium 124. The back side 130 includes an area 137 forpostal information and an area 139 for notes written by the sender. Aswill be appreciated, the arrangement and location of the postalinformation, notes, the disk medium, and location of other desiredimages or writing on the postcard can be altered, and the presentdescription is not intended to limit the approaches that may be takenarranging these areas on the postcard. In yet another embodiment,referring again to FIG. 3D, the pocket 120 may have a perforation 135 orother opening along its outer edges, or along a side of the postcard100, to permit removal of the disk medium 124 from the pocket 120. Anyof several methods for removal of the disk medium 124 may be utilizedand the present description is not intended to limit the ways in whichthis may be accomplished. In the present embodiment, wherein a layerextends across all or a portion of the front side 114 of the postcard100, and is attached to the front side 114 of the postcard 100, thepostcard 100 does not include a filler card, or a plastic layer on topof the back side of the postcard 100. In further embodiments, however,in which this same construction is used, the postcard 100 can includeone or more additional pieces of card substrate, including a fillercard, and a plastic layer or backing covering the back side of thepostcard 100.

[0036] The invention further includes a method for attaching a compactdisk or other medium to a postcard. As described on the flow diagram ofFIG. 4, the method includes a step 200 of forming a first sheet, havinga front side and back side, of the postcard, preferably of card stock,although other materials, such as plastic or other paper products may beused. The method includes a step 210 of placing an image or message on afirst area of the front side of said first sheet. The method includes astep 220 of affixing a pocket containing a compact disk or other diskmedium to a second area of the front side of said first sheet. Themethod includes a step 230 of placing a filler card next to and behindthe back side of the first sheet so that the two are in contact. In thepresent embodiment, the first sheet and filler card are not attached(such as through glueing or other adhesives), but in another embodimentthe first sheet and filler card may be attached together. The separatefiller card is used to accomplish acceptable stiffness and support forthe postcard, while not adding such additional thickness and weight tothe first sheet. Using thicker card stock for the first sheet couldinterfere with the printing process needed to place an image on the cardstock. Preferably, the filler card is formed of a single, unfolded sheetof cardboard or chipboard in excess of 20 point weight, and preferablyis comprised of 40 weight point cardboard or chipboard. A stiffercardboard or chipboard provides a stronger support for the first sheet,is less likely to curl or warp, and is more likely to cause theinvention to be acceptable to postal authorities. In a preferredembodiment, the first sheet and filler card are approximately the samesize and shape. While various sizes and shapes may be used, thepreferred shape is rectangular, having a length about 8 inches and widthof about 3.75 inches. The method includes a step 240 of applying a layerof thin plastic, such as a plastic sheet or film, over the entirepostcard, including the first sheet and the pocket, and the filler card,preferably through a shrink wrap process. The method also includes astep 250 of attaching a label to the backside of said postcard, to thelayer of thin plastic, said label providing areas for postcard text, ifdesired, for writing the recipient's name and address, and affixing astamp or other information for postal processing, and/or an area forwriting a personal message. The label may be an adhesive label, havingan adhesive backing which adheres to the postcard, or it may be attachedby applying glue. The label may be comprised of paper, plastic or othermaterial suitable for absorbing and retaining ink, and for holding apostage stamp. The label is preferably a paper label with an adhesivebacking. The method includes an optional step 235 of placing an insertsheet into the post card, which contains instructions for using thecompact disk or other medium. The insert is placed on either side of thefiller card, preferably in contact with the filler card, but notattached to it, and, then, in step 240, the entire card, including theinsert, is covered with a of thin plastic, according to step 240 and thelabel is attached according to step 250.

We claim:
 1. A postcard, comprising: a sheet, having a front side and aback side; a first area for displaying an image or message, said firstarea located on said front side; a second area, also located on saidfront side, said second area including a means for attaching a diskmedium to said front side; a filler card, positioned with one side incontact with the back side of said sheet; a plastic layer applied toenclose sealingly said sheet, said means for attaching a disk medium,and said filler card; and a label, attached to at least a portion ofsaid plastic layer covering the side of said filler card opposite saidsheet.
 2. The postcard of claim 1, further comprising compact disk,closely held to said sheet by said means for attaching a disk medium. 3.The postcard of claim 1, further comprising a multi-laminate disk,closely held to said sheet by said means for attaching a disk medium. 4.The postcard of claim 1, further comprising a microchip, and whereinsaid means for attaching a disk medium includes a means for attaching amicrochip to said sheet.
 5. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said meansfor attaching a disk medium is a pocket affixed to said front side. 6.The postcard of claim 5, wherein said pocket is comprised of plastic andis transparent.
 7. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said sheet is formedfrom card stock.
 8. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said plastic layeris a plastic film applied through a shrink wrap process.
 9. The postcardof claim 1, wherein the image or message of said first area iscoordinated with the content of said disk medium.
 10. A postcard,comprising: a sheet, having a front side and a back side; a means forattaching a disk medium, connected to said sheet on said back side; afirst area for displaying postal information, located on said back side;and a second area for displaying information, located on said frontside.
 11. The postcard of claim 10, wherein said sheet is formed fromcard stock material.
 12. The postcard of claim 10, further comprising adisk medium, and wherein said means for attaching a disk medium is apocket formed from transparent plastic material, said pocket enclosingsaid disk medium and affixed to the back side of said sheet.
 13. Thepostcard of claim 10, further comprising a disk medium in contact withsaid back side, wherein said means for attaching a disk medium includesa layer formed to cover said disk medium, said layer being affixed to atleast a portion of said back side.
 14. The postcard of claim 13, whereinsaid layer is a plastic sheet sealingly affixed to at least a portion ofsaid back side.
 15. The postcard of claim 13, wherein said layer is aplastic material formed over said disk medium and at least a portion ofsaid sheet in a blister pack process, said plastic layer enclosing saiddisk medium and holding it alongside said sheet.
 16. The postcard ofclaim 13, further comprising a disk medium in contact with said backside, and wherein said means for attaching a disk medium is a plasticfilm enclosing said sheet and disk medium, and holding said disk mediumin contact with said sheet.
 17. A postcard, comprising: a cardsubstrate, having a front side and a back side; a disk medium; a meansfor closely holding said disk medium to said card substrate; a firstarea for displaying information, defined on a first portion of said cardsubstrate; and a second area for displaying information written, definedon a second portion of said card substrate.
 18. The postcard of claim17, wherein said card substrate is formed from card stock material. 19.The postcard of claim 17, wherein said card substrate is formed fromplastic material.
 20. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said cardsubstrate is formed from a paper product, and said first area islaminated.
 21. The postcard of claim 17, wherein a portion of saidsecond area for displaying information includes an area for a sender towrite postal information.
 22. The postcard of claim 17, wherein saidmeans for closely holding said disk medium includes a pocket sized toenclose a disk medium, said pocket being attached to said cardsubstrate.
 23. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium is acompact disk.
 24. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium isa digital video disk.
 25. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said diskmedium is a multi-laminate disk.
 26. The postcard of claim 22, whereinsaid disk medium is a Smartcard.
 27. The postcard of claim 26, furtherincluding a microchip attached to said card substrate, and wherein saidmeans for closely holding said disk medium includes connecting amicrochip to said card substrate.
 28. The postcard of claim 22, whereinsaid pocket is formed from a paper material.
 29. The postcard of claim22, wherein said pocket is formed of foil material.
 30. The postcard ofclaim 22, wherein said pocket is formed of a plastic material.
 31. Thepostcard of claim 22, wherein said pocket includes an opening forinserting said disk medium into and removing said disk medium from saidpocket.
 32. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said means for closelyholding said disk medium includes a plastic layer formed to cover andenclose said disk medium in a space between said plastic layer and saidcard substrate, a portion of said plastic layer being affixed to a thirdportion of said card substrate.
 33. The postcard of claim 32, whereinsaid plastic layer is applied to said card substrate and disk medium ina blister pack process.
 34. The postcard of claim 32, further comprisinga perforation in said card substrate, said perforation being located inan area of said card substrate underlying said disk medium, saidperforation permitting a user to open said card substrate and towithdraw said disk medium from said space between said plastic layer andsaid card substrate.
 35. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said meansfor closely holding said disk medium to said card substrate includes athin layer of plastic applied to enclose said card substrate and diskmedium in a shrink wrap process.
 36. The postcard of claim 22, furthercomprising a thin layer of plastic material applied to enclose said cardsubstrate and pocket in a shrink wrap process.
 37. A postcard,comprising: a card substrate, having a front side and a back side; ameans for attaching a disk medium to said card substrate; a filler card,positioned against the back side of said card substrate; an area fordisplaying a message or greeting, located on the front side of said cardsubstrate; a plastic film, enclosing said card substrate, said means forattaching a disk medium, and said filler card, secured to retain thereinsaid card substrate, said means for attaching a disk medium, and saidfiller card; and a label, attached to a portion of said plastic filmcovering said back side, and having an outward facing surface fordisplaying information to a user.